Multiplayer for Pixel: ru² is coming!
We're happy to announce that an addition to Pixel: ru² that's been planned since the start is finally going to be rolled out starting in 1 - 2 weeks. Multiplayer modes! We have several modes that we're working on, and are going to be releasing them one at a time so we can use feedback and data from each mode to help make the rest better.
We know how important playtesting is and we want to make sure everything is working well in each mode before adding a new one. We also don't want to spread ourselves too thin by releasing several modes at once.
Leaderboard Mode
This will be the first multiplayer mode to be rolled out and may remain the only multiplayer mode for a few months as we use it to test back-end code for the other modes. This mode isn't as advanced as the rest, which is why we're rolling it out first.
Leaderboard mode will be similar to how multiplayer in a game like TrackMania is. You'll be able to see each other, but won't be able to interfere with each other. You instead just keep trying to get a high score on that level until there is a level change and then everyone will be displayed the results before switching to the next level.
Not only will we be using this mode to help get issues out of our multiplayer code, but also as a step towards having global online leaderboards.
Cooperative Mode
This will most likely be the next multiplayer mode released. You will need to team up with other players and solve puzzle-platforming together similar to a game like Portal 2 or LittleBigPlanet.
This mode will be useful for testing interaction with other players. Because it's cooperative and not competitive, we're hoping any issues that happen won't be as frustrating to players. Once we get these issues fixed, we'll be able to move onto the next mode.
Competitive Mode
This mode will be similar to Leaderboard Mode, but you will be able to interact with each other. This means on top of having to worry about the enemies on the level, you'll also have to worry about other players.
We expect this mode to require a lot of balancing tweaks as well as ways to prevent players from griefing each other -- sitting at spawn spamming the rocket launcher for example.
Team Mode
This is the final multiplayer mode we have planned, and although it will have a different feel from the rest, it will incorporate a lot of existing elements. It will be a competitive game mode where teams are competing with teams in various ways. From traditional deathmatch, to objective focused levels, to cooperative leaderboard challenges where teams are competing against teams.
This mode opens up a lot of options, and because of that there are already a lot of ideas for things we can do. We may do a separate rollout for different modes within this mode.
Feedback
We'd love to know what everyone thinks of these modes and if you have any more ideas on what we can do with Pixel: ru².
Thank you.